Chapter 106: Senior Brother, I Only Eat One Billion Bites

“Quite a coincidence. I find my junior brother rather amiable as well. This mountain is called Hidden Mist Mountain, where I reside most days. Why don’t I take you on a tour to enjoy its sights?”

At Cao Kong’s invitation, the Golden Horn Youth hesitated briefly before accompanying him to explore Hidden Mist Mountain. Fortunately, the Golden Horn Youth possessed a pure heart, quickly discarding any misgivings and eagerly admiring the mountain’s scenery.

Over the years, under Cao Kong’s mastery of Earth Immortal fundamentals and his own unique methods, Hidden Mist Mountain had grown increasingly vibrant with spiritual energy. It was no exaggeration to call it a blessed land on earth.

Moreover, because Cao Kong cultivated various magical herbs and precious medicines, he adjusted the earth’s veins, wielded divine powers, performed Daoist rites, and channeled stellar energies to transform the mountain’s four edges into representations of the four seasons. Thus, all four seasons existed simultaneously on this single mountain: spring in the east, autumn in the west, summer in the south, and winter in the north. Each quadrant displayed a distinctive and enchanting landscape, a feast for the eyes.

Towering cypresses and pines swayed in the breeze, crimson leaves thinned the forests, orange hues dyed the golden groves, cicadas sang among the trees in summer, lotus flowers reflected the sunlight, snow blanketed the mountaintops, and plum blossoms unfolded their buds.

Although accustomed to the celestial splendor of the Heavenly Palace, the Golden Horn Youth was amazed by the breathtaking beauty along the way, repeatedly expressing admiration.

Unconsciously, the two arrived at the far western edge of the mountain, where golden-orange tangerines filled the forest. They picked a few and shared them.

The Golden Horn Youth peeled one and popped a segment into his mouth. His eyes brightened immediately as he found the fruit’s flesh tender and moist like sweet dew, its fragrance refreshing and delightful.

“Delicious,” he said, then added, “If Senior Brother Blue Ox were here, I doubt he’d leave without devouring the entire tangerine grove.”

“Ha ha, junior brother, if you find them tasty, feel free to eat your fill,” Cao Kong replied cheerfully, pleased by the implicit approval from the Tushita Palace.

The Golden Horn Youth’s eyes sparkled, then shyly said, “I hardly dare—it’s our first meeting, and to eat freely would be impolite.”

“Heh heh, in that case, senior brother, I shall only take one bite.”

Cao Kong chuckled, sensing a mischievous glint in the younger’s eyes—this bite would hardly be ordinary. He waved his hand, signaling it was no trouble.

“By all means, junior brother, the entire tangerine forest is yours to enjoy.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the grove, Cao Xiang held a bamboo basket, preparing to pick some tangerines for himself. It seemed the people of Hidden Mist Mountain all loved these fruits.

“Hmm, this one’s large, that one’s round, and this one’s color is perfect.”

One by one, Cao Xiang plucked tangerines, gradually filling more than half the basket.

At that moment, with Cao Kong’s nod, the Golden Horn Youth smiled, exhaled a breath of pure qi that spiraled in the air, then opened his mouth wide—large enough to hold two eggs.

“Ah-woo…”

Suddenly, the entire tangerine forest rustled as a strong wind swept through, shaking down all the large, plump fruits, sending them flying through the air toward the Golden Horn Youth.

A strand of the pure qi seemed almost sentient, deftly peeling each tangerine and delivering only the juicy flesh into the youth’s mouth.

Though his mouth was not particularly large, all the tangerines flew in, evoking a sensation akin to the mustard seed containing the vast universe.

Before long, most of the fruit had fallen, and even a basket floated over, carrying a bewildered Cao Xiang. He sat in the wind, puzzled by its sudden strength and the sparse fruit remaining on the branches.

Looking toward the basket, he saw the Golden Horn Youth chewing his way through half the grove’s harvest, eyes wide in shock.

“This tangerine grove is mine!” Cao Xiang shouted angrily. “If someone came and ate a few, I wouldn’t mind, but you’ve devoured half the forest!”

“Thieving little rascal, you greedy glutton! Give me back my tangerines!”

Infuriated, Cao Xiang scrambled through the wind, grabbed the basket, and hurled it at the Golden Horn Youth.

Quick and alert, the Golden Horn Youth dodged the basket, then resumed savoring the delicious fruit.

Having eaten so much, some of the tangerine’s fragrance escaped from his mouth and nose, filling the air with a sweet aroma.

With a gulp, he swallowed the last bite, and the strong wind instantly ceased. Cao Xiang landed on the ground and, seeing Cao Kong beside the Golden Horn Youth, prepared to complain.

Cao Kong smiled and said, “This is the Golden Horn Youth, visiting my Hidden Mist Mountain. The tangerine grove was abundant just now, so I allowed him to pick freely. Junior brother, this is my younger brother, Cao Xiang.”

Hearing this, Cao Xiang swallowed his words but still looked somewhat irate.

The Golden Horn Youth, savoring the lingering sweetness, observed Cao Xiang. While his features resembled Cao Kong’s somewhat, his aura was entirely different.

He then noticed the Dao energy within Cao Xiang—upright, pure, and enduring.

‘Hiss… this aura is so similar to that person from Penglai Immortal Island,’ he thought.

He secretly activated his vision to glimpse Cao Xiang’s destiny. Misty auspicious clouds swirled around him, blessings gathered like a canopy of fortune.

In an instant, the Golden Horn Youth was stunned. Such innate good fortune he had only seen in that annoying, lazy fellow before.

Slightly startled, he thought, ‘My senior brother and his younger brother are truly blessed. I must cultivate a good relationship with them.’

He then probed gently, “Senior Brother, your younger brother possesses such pure and upright Dao energy—a sign of great fortune indeed.”

Cao Kong smiled, “Haha, I suppose that’s true. My younger brother is fortunate to have apprenticed under the Longevity Star Sect as a registered disciple—truly blessed.”

The Golden Horn Youth’s expression changed again, smiling as he said, “Brother Cao Xiang, I am a disciple of the Supreme Lord Laozi, simply called Golden Horn. Those tangerines were incredibly delicious; I couldn’t help but eat quite a few.

“But I haven’t eaten for free—I often assist the Lord in alchemy and have heard of the Longevity Star’s alchemical techniques. If there’s a chance, we should discuss them more.”

Cao Xiang, having lived in the mountains for a long time, had read many Daoist scriptures. Hearing the youth’s status and his interest in alchemy, his face brightened.

He loved alchemy but had always explored it alone. Now, someone to exchange ideas with was truly wonderful.

His anger quickly dissipated, and he approached the Golden Horn Youth, chatting and debating alchemical scriptures with enthusiasm.

Cao Kong watched with a smile. Though not an expert in alchemy himself, he could tell that while they called it a discussion, the Golden Horn Youth was mostly instructing Cao Xiang.

Recalling the Golden Horn Youth’s earlier use of “Command” and “Immobilization” techniques, Cao Kong marveled at how extraordinary Laozi’s disciples truly were.

No wonder the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint praised him so highly. Centuries later, with the “Mountain Dispatch” technique, he had greatly troubled the Monkey King, causing the Three Corpses to stir and the Seven Orifices to bleed—a crafty, albeit effective, feat.

Cao Kong also understood that the Golden Horn Youth’s good attitude toward him and his brother was likely due to their strong lineage.

Of course, in turn, he himself was no less distinguished.

Afterward, the three traveled together. Cao Kong summoned Hu Yan and others, preparing spiritual wine and fruits to host the Golden Horn Youth.

The youth was cheerful and talkative, addressing Cao Kong as “Senior Brother” warmly and calling Cao Xiang with enthusiasm.

Cao Kong nodded approvingly. Truly, coming from Tushita Palace and working in the heavens, this youth’s manners and demeanor were exemplary.